CONTRIBUTE

The objective of the interim report, which offers the first and most complete independent review of the region, is to set out what the Commission considers to be the most important policy challenges facing Cambridgeshire and Peterborough in the future – laying the groundwork to inform a series of policy recommendations that will be made in the final report. It is also hoped that the analysis and recommendations contained within the interim report will stimulate further debate across the region and encourage individuals, businesses and other organisations to further contribute to the development of the final report, due for publication later this year.

The CPIEC is inviting interested parties to comment on the interim report. Any responses, views and supplementary evidence should be submitted to the Commission at evidence@cpier.org.uk by 1700hrs on Friday 8th June. The key questions that require consideration can be found below.

Any responses, views and supplementary evidence should be submitted to the Commission by 1700hrs on Friday June 8th.

Key questions for consideration:

Does the three-area characterisation summarise the area well? Which links between the area have not been well captured? What are the most important links to outside the area?

How can the area achieve its target of doubling GVA in 25 years?

What will the likely impacts of Brexit be upon the area? How can the area best prepare for any changes this will bring? What local and national policy environment is likely to be conducive to this?

How can we create the conditions required for the development of sectors which will provide long term resilience for the local economy? What role should industrial policy play in this?

Where does the education system most need attention? How conducive is the wider environment (including early years schooling) to helping young people develop necessary skills?

What specialisms should the planned new university at Peterborough focus on?

Where can we see poor health outcomes affecting productivity? Which businesses are exemplars at improving health outcomes for employees? How can lower life expectancy outcomes be improved?

How much is lack of available premises hindering business growth? Similarly, is access to finance a significant problem?

How can Cambridge lose its unwanted accolade of being the most unequal city in the UK? How can we tackle inequality and deprivation across the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough area?

What are the main infrastructure priorities and why? What needs to come first to maintain economic growth and unlock future growth, from an economic and practical perspective?

What are the funding streams that can allow for ambitious development?

Where are limitations in the electricity supply and broadband provision hampering local growth?

How can the south of the area ensure its success doesn’t come at a cost to local people in the form of unaffordable housing? What practical steps can central and local government take to improve housing supply across the area?

Where do I send my evidence?Evidence should be submitted to the Commission at its email address which is evidence@cpier.org.uk.

Is there a deadline for evidence to be submitted?Yes. To be considered fully as part of the Review, your evidence needs to be submitted by 1700hrs on Friday 8th June 2018.

To whom is the call for responses directed?The call is primarily (though not exclusively) directed towards business representatives, academics and policymakers including local councils as they play a key role in shaping the future of the region.

When submitting a response please say which of the key questions – 1-13 above you are responding to.

What will be done with my response?All responses will be read and considered as part of the advice given to the Commission. Summaries of the responses will be made available to the Commission and used to help formulate the Commission’s final analysis and recommendations. Unless you request otherwise, the Commission will treat your response as being in the public domain and may quote from or reference it and/or may publish it on the Commission website.